diff --git a/virtManager/details.py b/virtManager/details.py
index 71ba39d8..617235d5 100644
--- a/virtManager/details.py
+++ b/virtManager/details.py
@@ -1301,6 +1301,12 @@ class vmmDetails(vmmGObjectUI):
         self.widget("control-shutdown").get_menu().update_widget_states(vm)
         self.widget("control-pause").set_sensitive(stop)
 
+        if paused:
+            pauseTooltip = _("Resume the virtual machine")
+        else:
+            pauseTooltip = _("Pause the virtual machine")
+        self.widget("control-pause").set_tooltip_text(pauseTooltip)
+
         self.widget("details-vm-menu").get_submenu().update_widget_states(vm)
         self.set_pause_state(paused)
 
diff --git a/virtManager/manager.py b/virtManager/manager.py
index 79cf0c51..edc29c70 100644
--- a/virtManager/manager.py
+++ b/virtManager/manager.py
@@ -870,6 +870,12 @@ class vmmManager(vmmGObjectUI):
         self.set_pause_state(is_paused)
         self.widget("vm-pause").set_sensitive(show_pause)
 
+        if is_paused:
+            pauseTooltip = _("Resume the virtual machine")
+        else:
+            pauseTooltip = _("Pause the virtual machine")
+        self.widget("vm-pause").set_tooltip_text(pauseTooltip)
+
         self.widget("menu_edit_details").set_sensitive(show_details)
         self.widget("menu_host_details").set_sensitive(host_details)